Combined box and reel.



N0. 741,391 PATENTBD OCT. 13, 1903. w. H. ATKINSON. COMBINED B-OX AND REEL. APPLICATION FILED DEG- 16. 1901- N0 MODEL.

NlTE ll AY lPatented October 13, 1933.

atnnr Erica.

COMBINED soxnno REEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,391, dated October 13, 1903. Application filed December 16, 1901. Serial No. 86,016. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, W LLIAM H. ATKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, New York city, county of Kings, and State of New York,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Box and Reel, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to a combined box or case and reel for ribbon, cord, thread, and the like, and includes an improved feature of construction applicable generally to sheetmetal reels or spools.

As a full understanding of the invention can best be given by a detailed description, in connection with drawings showing preferred constructions embodying the various features of the invention, such a description will now be given in connection with the accompany ing drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a preferred construction embodying the various features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same. Figs. 3, 4i, and 5 are detail views of detached parts of the reel portion of the box; and Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively longitudinal, sectional, and end views of a modified construction embodying features of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 to 5, the ribbon-box shown in these figures consists of a reel or spool portion A, on which the ribbon R is wound, and a casing B extending between the end plates of the reel portion and forming therewith a complete inclosure for the ribbon. In the preferred construction shown the casing B is cylindrical and openended and the end plates of the reel portion A are in the form of circular disks, thus forming a cylindrical box. The reel portion A consists of end disks 10 and 11 and a central body portion connecting said end disks and formed of two hollow cylindrical posts 12 and 13, respectively, secured one to each of the end disks and extending one within the other. These posts are of a size to fit tightly one within the other, so that they will be free to slide to permit the end disks to be moved apart or toward each other and that the friction between the posts will yet be sufficient to normally maintain the parts in the relative positions to which they have been moved. A reel so constructed forms in itself a feature of the invention and will be found of great convenience in allowing the ribbon to be placed thereon or removed therefrom as a roll already wound. The end disks 10 and 11 are formed with peripheral flanges 2 to engage the ends of the cylindrical casing, and these flanges are preferably outwardly-extending flanges, as shown, and the metal of the disks extends beyond the flanges 2 again parallel with the main portion of the disk to form a shoulder for the end of the casing and is then turned inwardly to form a beaded edge. The flanges 2 serve to hold the casing in position and are preferably formed of a size to make a close fit with the end of the casing 13, and thereby not only make a tight inclosure, but also assist in holding the end disks against longitudinal movement apart. Itis notnecessary, however, to depend upon the fit between these parts to hold the end disks in position, as the necessary friction may be secured between the parts of the body portion of the reel. The larger post should be of a length substantially equal to the distance between the disks when the parts are assembled, so as to form a support for the ribbon when the disks are separated for removing or placing the casing in position.

It will be seen that a construction such as above described forms a very desirable box or case for putting up ribbon, string, and the like for sale, the casing forming with the reel a tight safe inclosure for the ribbon, &c.,-of attractive appearance and the casing being readily removable, leaving the ribbon on the reel ready for use.

The cylindrical posts forming the body portion of the reel are preferably secured to the end disks as follows: The end of the post to be secured to the disk is formed with a number of ears 3, and the disk is formed with a central opening, the edge of which is formed with a number of recesses 4, corresponding to the ears 3 of the post, and the ears 5, corresponding to the spaces between the ears of the post, the size of the opening, measuring from opposite recesses 4:, corresponding to the external diameter of the post. The end of the post having the ears is then placed against the disk, with the ears 3 extending through the recesses 4, and the ears 3 are then bent outward and down against the outer face of the disk, and the ears 5 are bent inward and against the inner surface of the post, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cylindrical post forming the body portion of the reel is preferably made of a plate bent in the form of a cylinder, and one of the ears 5 will'come opposite and overlap the meeting edges of the plate forming the post, and thus hold the edges securely against any inward movement. It will thus be seen that I obtain in a Very simple and inexpensive manner a very rigid and strong connection between the post and the disk, the two series of ears and recesses interlocking and coacting to prevent any relative movement whatever between the two parts. This means for securing a hollow post to a standard or plate forms in itself a feature of the invention and is, of course, not limited in its application to the particular construction in connection with which it is here shown, nor is it limited to a circular post or standard and a flat plate. In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a simple reel having its two end disks rigidly secured to the opposite ends of a continuous central post in accordance with this feature of the invention.

The various parts of my improved combined box and reel are preferably formed of sheet metal; but it will be understood that I am not to be limited solely to the use of sheet metal. It will be understood also that I am not to be limited to the exact construction shown and to which the foregoing description has been mainly confined, but that the invention includes Various changes in and departures therefrom within the claims.

What I claim is 1. Acase'formed of a reel having separable endplates and acentral body portion connecting said plates; and a casing open at both ends extending between the end plates, substantially as described.

2. A case formed of a reel having end plates-and a central body portion connecting said plates; and a casing extending between the end plates having open ends engaging the two end plates, and adapted to be moved therefrom longitudinally of the axis of the reel, substantially as described.

3. A case formed of a reel having end plates, a central body portion formed of a hollow post secured to one of the end plates and a post secured to the other of the end plates and fitting within the hollow post; and a casing open at both ends extending between the end plates, substantially as described.

4; A case formed of a reel having end disks and a central body portion formed of two hollow cylindrical posts secured one to each of the end disks and fitting one within the other; and a cylindrical casing open at both ends extending between the end disks, substantially as described.

5. A case formed of a reel having end disks formed with peripheral flanges and a central body portion formed of two hollow cylindrical posts secured one to each of the end disks and fitting one within the other; and a cylindrical casing open at each end extending between the end disks and engaging the peripheral flanges of the end disks, substantially as described.

6. A case formed of a reel having end disks with outwardly-extending peripheral flanges, and a central body portion formed of two hollow cylindrical posts secured one to each of the end disks and fitting one within the other; and a cylindrical casing open at each end extending between the end disks and engaging the peripheral flanges of the end disks, substantially as described.

7. A case formed of a reel having separable end disks with outwardly-extending peripheral flanges and a central body portion connecting the end disks; and a cylindrical casing open at each end extending between the end disks and engaging the peripheral flanges of the end disks, substantially as described.

8. A case formed of a reel having separable end plates with outwardly-extending peripheral flanges and a central body portion connecting the end plates; and a casing open at each end extending between the end plates and engaging the peripheral flanges of the end plates, substantially as described.

9. A case formed of a reel having end disks, each having a central opening the edge of which is formed with a number of ears 5, and a central body portion formed of two hollow cylindrical posts secured one to each of the two disks by means of cars 3 extending through the openings of the disks between the ears 5 and turned outward and downward against the outer face of the disk, the ears 5 being turn ed inward against the inner surface of the post, said posts fitting one within the other; and an open-ended cylindrical casing extending between the end disks, substantially as described. a

10. A reel having end disks each having a central opening the edge of which is formed with a number of cars 5, and a hollow cylindrical body portion, the ends of which are secured to the disks by means of ears 3 extending through the central openings of the disks between the ears 5 and turned outward and down against the outer face of the disks, the ears 5 being turned inward against the inner surface of said body portion, substantially as described.

11. The combination of a plate having an opening therein the edge of which is formed with a number of cars 5 and a tubular standard or post of a size corresponding to the opening in the plate and having ears 3 extending through the opening between the ears 5 and turned outward and downward against the surface of the plate, the ears. 5 being turned inward against the inner surface of the post, substantially as described.

12. A reel having end disks each having a IIO central opening the edge of which is formed with a number of ears 5, and a body portion formed of a plate bent to form a cylinder the ends of which cylindrical body portion are secured to the disks by means of cars 3 extending through the central openings of the disks between ears 5 and turned outward and down against the outer faces of the disks, the ears 5 being turned inward against the inner surface of said body portion and one of said ears 5 of each of the end disks being opposite the meeting edges of the body portion, substantially as described.

13. The combination of a plate having an opening therein the edge of which is formed with a number of ears 5, and a standard or post of a size corresponding to the opening in WILLIAM H. ATKINSON.

Witnesses:

G. M. BoRsT, T. F. KEHOE. 

